Lake Mackenzie Campsite

Routeburn Track

4.4 1 review See the top-ranked basic camping campsites in NZ

Information

Lake Mackenzie Campsite

This is a walk-in, Great Walk campsite on the Routeburn Track, Fiordland National Park. Bookings required in the Great Walks season.

Lake Mackenzie Campsite is a walk-in Great Walk campsite located along the Routeburn Track in Fiordland National Park. The campsite features 9 non-powered tent sites suitable for self-sufficient campers carrying their own camping and cooking gear. It is situated approximately four to six hours' walk from The Divide on Milford Road. Bookings are required during the Great Walks season from November through April, while off-season access operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Notices

Routeburn Track bridges removed for winter

Side-stream bridges have been removed between Harris Saddle and Lake Mackenzie Hut for winter. This will affect anyone planning to complete the full Routeburn Track.

Stream levels can rise quickly. Crossings are not recommended in winter.

First published on 16 June 2026. Last reviewed on 30 September 2026.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Lake Mackenzie Campsite is categorised as a DOC Great Walk Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Adults from $5 to $32, children from $0 to $16, infants are free. There is differential pricing for international visitors, as well as seasonal pricing. Visit the website for exact pricing.

Feature	Value	Value
Unpowered Site	Adult	Varies per night
Unpowered Site	Child	Varies per night
Unpowered Site	Infant	Varies per night

Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Otago

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Glenorchy

Categories

Basic Camping

Operating Season And Hours

Open year-round. Bookings are required during the Great Walks season (1 November – 30 April). Outside the Great Walks season (1 May – 31 October), sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-44.7675470396308

168.173260688782

Latitude
-44.7675470396308
Longitude
168.173260688782

Websites

Online Booking

Reviews

Campsite has 9 sites, is located in the bush a short distance from the hut and lake, with great views of the Routeburn Valley surrounded by mountains.
There is a big covered cooking and seating area with sinks, toilet etc and the sites have been levelled off and have artificial grass! You can see the lake trough the trees.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in September 2006

Laksmi C

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	Medium Cost Camping Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Medium Cost Camping Standard facilities of powered sites and hot showers can be expected. Price is per person per night, based on a powered site for two people.	Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Medium Cost Camping Standard facilities of powered sites and hot showers can be expected. Price is per person per night, based on a powered site for two people.
Overnight Stay Rules	Camping only Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping only You are permitted to camp only in a tent. Staying in vehicles is not possible.	Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping only You are permitted to camp only in a tent. Staying in vehicles is not possible.
Campsite Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.
Payment Requirement	Paid access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in.
Maximum Sites Available	Up to 5 sites Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? Up to 5 sites There are only between one and five camping/parking sites available.	Maximum Sites Available How many camping or parking sites are available for staying overnight in? Up to 5 sites There are only between one and five camping/parking sites available.
Water Supply	Water supply available Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available.	Water Supply Is there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available.
Dump Station	No dump station Dump Station Dump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles.	Dump Station Dump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles.
Booking Required	Booking is Required Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? Booking is Required Staying overnight requires booking a site in advance.	Booking Required Is it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? Booking is Required Staying overnight requires booking a site in advance.
Powered Sites	No powered sites Powered Sites Does this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply.	Powered Sites Does this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply.
Large Vehicle Access	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Dogs	No dogs allowed Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs.	Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs.
Vehicle Access	No vehicle access Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? No vehicle access This location is not accessible in a vehicle.	Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? No vehicle access This location is not accessible in a vehicle.
DOC Campsite Category	DOC Great Walk Campsite DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Great Walk Campsite All Great Walk tracks (except Milford) offer camping near huts or in designated areas. There are nearly 60 Department of Conservation Great Walk Campsites offering basic facilities including toilets, handwashing sinks and a water supply. Some have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Great Walk Campsite bookings are usually required online or at DOC Visitor Centres.	DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Great Walk Campsite All Great Walk tracks (except Milford) offer camping near huts or in designated areas. There are nearly 60 Department of Conservation Great Walk Campsites offering basic facilities including toilets, handwashing sinks and a water supply. Some have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Great Walk Campsite bookings are usually required online or at DOC Visitor Centres.
WiFi Internet	No WiFi WiFi Internet What type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available.	WiFi Internet What type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available.
Campfire Rules	Fires prohibited Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted.	Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted.
Toilet	Customer toilet Toilet Is there a toilet available? Customer toilet There are toilet facilities available to the paying customers only.	Toilet Is there a toilet available? Customer toilet There are toilet facilities available to the paying customers only.
Campervan Water Refill	No campervan water refill Campervan Water Refill Can a campervan refill its freshwater tank here? No campervan water refill There are not facilities for refilling a campervan's freshwater tank at this site.'	Campervan Water Refill Can a campervan refill its freshwater tank here? No campervan water refill There are not facilities for refilling a campervan's freshwater tank at this site.'